U.S. patent application number 12/413456 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for mobile communication system, mobile communication method, and communication apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to Kenji FUKUDA, Tatsuji HAMAMURA, Hajime HASEGAWA, Ryuichi KARINO, Yoshio TAMURA.
Application Number | 20090303947 12/413456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41130328 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090303947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KARINO; Ryuichi ; et
al. |
December 10, 2009 |
MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, MOBILE COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND
COMMUNICATION APPARATUS
Abstract
A mobile station-side acquirer acquires the MTU value notified
by a base station-side notifier and stores the acquired MTU value
in a mobile station-side memory. A mobile station-side transmitter
transmits data to a destination with the data size set to be
smaller than or equal to the MTU value stored in the mobile
station-side memory. A base station-side acquirer acquires the MTU
value of the transmission path and stores the acquired MTU value in
a base station-side memory. The base station-side notifier notifies
the mobile station of the MTU value stored in the base station-side
memory
Inventors: |
KARINO; Ryuichi; (Kawasaki,
JP) ; HAMAMURA; Tatsuji; (Kawasaki, JP) ;
FUKUDA; Kenji; (Kawasaki, JP) ; TAMURA; Yoshio;
(Kawasaki, JP) ; HASEGAWA; Hajime; (Kawasaki,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS WOLIN, LLC
100 HEADQUARTERS PLAZA, North Tower, 6th Floor
MORRISTOWN
NJ
07960-6834
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJITSU LIMITED
Kawasaki-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
41130328 |
Appl. No.: |
12/413456 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 28/22 20130101;
H04L 47/365 20130101; H04L 69/166 20130101; H04L 47/26
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/329 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/04 20090101
H04W072/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 5, 2008 |
JP |
2008-148209 |
Claims
1. A mobile communication system for wireless data communication
between a base station and a mobile station, wherein: the base
station includes a base station-side memory which stores a Maximum
Transmission Unit (MTU) value indicative of a maximum size of data
that can be transferred at a time over a transmission path through
which data from the mobile station is transmitted, a base
station-side acquirer which acquires the MTU value of the
transmission path and stores the acquired MTU value in the base
station-side memory, and a base station-side notifier which
notifies the mobile station of the MTU value stored in the base
station-side memory; and the mobile station includes a mobile
station-side memory which stores the MTU value of the transmission
path notified by the base station-side notifier, a mobile
station-side acquirer which acquires the MTU value notified by the
base station-side notifier, and stores the acquired MTU value in
the mobile station-side memory, and a mobile station-side
transmitter which transmits the data to a destination with a data
size of the data set to be smaller than or equal to the MTU value
stored in the mobile station-side memory.
2. The mobile communication system according to claim 1, further
comprising a repeater including a repeater-side memory which stores
the MTU value of a destination-side transmission path which is a
transmission path leading to the destination of the data from the
mobile station, a repeater-side acquirer which acquires the MTU
value of the destination-side transmission path, and a
repeater-side notifier which notifies the base station-side
acquirer of the MTU value stored in the repeater-side memory,
wherein the base station-side acquirer acquires the MTU value
notified by the repeater-side notifier and stores the acquired MTU
value in the base station-side memory.
3. The mobile communication system according to claim 2, wherein:
when the mobile station is to be handed over to a destination base
station, the base station-side acquirer acquires the MTU value of a
destination-side transmission path to which the destination base
station is connected, and stores the acquired MTU value in the base
station-side memory; and after the MTU value acquired from the
destination base station is stored in the base station-side memory,
the base station-side notifier notifies the mobile station of the
MTU value stored in the base station-side memory and acquired from
the destination base station.
4. The mobile communication system according to claim 2, wherein,
when operation of the base station is started, the repeater-side
notifier notifies the base station-side acquirer of the MTU value
stored in the repeater-side memory, and the base station-side
acquirer acquires the MTU value notified from the repeater-side
notifier and stores the acquired MTU value in the base station-side
memory.
5. The mobile communication system according to claim 1, wherein,
when a call connection is initiated at the mobile station, the base
station-side notifier notifies the mobile station of the MTU value
stored in the base station-side memory.
6. The mobile communication system according to claim 1, wherein
the base station-side notifier includes, in a message used for a
call connection with the mobile station, the MTU value stored in
the base station-side memory and transmits the message to the
mobile station, thereby notifying the mobile station of the MTU
value stored in the base station-side memory.
7. The mobile communication system according to claim 2, wherein
the repeater-side notifier includes, in a message used for a call
connection with the mobile station, the MTU value stored in the
repeater-side memory and transmits the message to the mobile
station, to notify the base station of the MTU value stored in the
repeater-side memory.
8. The mobile communication system according to claim 1, wherein
the base station-side acquirer acquires the MTU value of the
transmission path at predetermined intervals of time and updates
the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory with the
acquired MTU value.
9. The mobile communication system according to claim 2, wherein
the repeater-side acquirer acquires the MTU value of the
transmission path at predetermined intervals of time and updates
the MTU value stored in the repeater-side memory with the acquired
MTU value.
10. A mobile communication method for wireless data communication
between a base station and a mobile station, the method comprising:
acquiring, by the base station, a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU)
value indicative of a maximum size of data that can be transferred
at a time over a transmission path through which data from the
mobile station is transmitted; storing the acquired MTU value in
the base station; notifying the mobile station of the stored MTU
value by the base station; acquiring, by the mobile station, the
MTU value notified by the base station; storing the acquired MTU
value in the mobile station; and transmitting the data from the
mobile station to a destination with a data size of the data set to
be smaller than or equal to the stored MTU value.
11. A communication apparatus for performing wireless data
communication with a mobile station, comprising: a memory which
stores a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) value indicative of a
maximum size of data that can be transferred at a time over a
transmission path through which data from the mobile station is
transmitted; an acquirer which acquires the MTU value of the
transmission path and stores the acquired MTU value in the memory;
and a notifier which notifies the mobile station of the MTU value
stored in the memory.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-148209,
filed on Jun. 5, 2008, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The embodiments discussed herein are related to mobile
communication systems and methods and communication
apparatuses.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In data communications using packets (packet communications)
such as U-Plane transmission, for example, a maximum size of a
packet that can be transmitted at a time, for example, a Maximum
Transmission Unit (MTU), is determined with respect to each
transmission path for conveying information. When a packet with a
size exceeding the MTU is received, a communication apparatus
(node) on the transmission path between transmitting and receiving
terminals performs fragmentation, if possible, so that the IP
packet may be segmented into pieces with a size smaller than the
MTU. If the packet is unable to be segmented, the fragmentation is
not executed and the packet is discarded. At this time, the MTU
value is notified, along with a destination unreachable message, by
the ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), which is a protocol
for forwarding IP error messages and control messages. The MTU
varies in response to change in the network configuration of
transmission paths attributable, for example, to handover of mobile
stations during wireless communication.
[0004] If packets large in size occupy the transmission path during
the packet communication, packet transmission which needs real-time
performance, such as VoIP (Voice over IP), becomes unstable,
possibly failing to ensure the specified transmission quality. The
reason is that, where the fragmentation is executed on the network,
the processing load increases, lowering the throughput of the
U-Plane. To avoid this, it may be necessary that the size of
packets transmitted over the network is reduced to lessen
instability of the packet transmission.
[0005] Reducing the packet size, however, leads to increase of
control signals and thus degradation of the transmission
efficiency, as well as to increase of packet reassembly processes.
Accordingly, the size of packets to be transmitted needs to be
appropriately set.
[0006] Meanwhile, techniques have been known in which the MTU of a
transmission path is acquired so that a terminal may transmit data
packets with a size not exceeding the MTU of the transmission path
(see, e.g., Japanese Laid-open Patent Publications No. 2005-204001,
No. 2001-251353, No. 2004-336748, and No. 2006-157544).
[0007] However, if the transmission path MTU is acquired every time
a call connection is requested from the terminal, a longer time is
taken to establish the call connection.
[0008] Also, where such MTU discovery is executed by multiple
terminals, the load on apparatuses constituting the transmission
path increases due to the execution of the MTU discovery, giving
rise to a problem that the usability of the transmission path
lowers.
SUMMARY
[0009] According to an aspect of the embodiments, in a mobile
communication system enabling wireless data communication between a
base station and a mobile station, the base station includes a base
station-side memory which stores a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU)
value indicative of a maximum size of data that can be transferred
at a time over a transmission path through which data from the
mobile station is transmitted, a base station-side acquirer which
acquires the MTU value of the transmission path and stores the
acquired MTU value in the base station-side memory, and a base
station-side notifier which notifies the mobile station of the MTU
value stored in the base station-side memory, and the mobile
station includes a mobile station-side memory which stores the MTU
value of the transmission path notified by the base station-side
notifier, a mobile station-side acquirer which acquires the MTU
value notified by the base station-side notifier, and stores the
acquired MTU value in the mobile station-side memory, and a mobile
station-side transmitter which transmits the data to a destination
with a data size of the data set to be smaller than or equal to the
MTU value stored in the mobile station-side memory.
[0010] The object and advantages of the invention will be realized
and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly
pointed out in the claims.
[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a system configuration according to the
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile communication system
according to the embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating operation of the
mobile communication system;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates protocol stacks associated with S1-AP
messaging;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure from
call connection to data transfer;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram also illustrating the procedure
from call connection to data transfer;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure from
call connection to data transfer with respect to multiple mobile
stations;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram also illustrating the procedure
from call connection to data transfer with respect to multiple
mobile stations;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure
from call connection to data transfer with respect to multiple
mobile stations;
[0022] FIG. 11 illustrates protocol stacks associated with X2-AP
messaging;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a handover
procedure;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for
restarting a base station in an LTE system;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for
restarting a base station in a 3G system; and
[0026] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure for
restarting the base station in the 3G system.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)
[0027] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to like elements throughout.
[0028] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment. In a mobile
communication system illustrated in FIG. 1, wireless data
communication is performed between a base station and a mobile
station to allow the mobile station to send data to a destination
via the base station. The mobile communication system comprises a
mobile station 1 and a base station 2. The base station 2 is
connected to a network 4. The mobile station 1 is connected with a
destination of data transmission (not illustrated) through the
network 4.
[0029] The mobile station 1 comprises a mobile station-side
acquirer 1a, a mobile station-side transmitter 1b, and a mobile
station-side memory 1c.
[0030] The mobile station-side acquirer 1a acquires an MTU value
notified by a base station-side notifier 2b, and stores the
acquired MTU value in the mobile station-side memory 1c.
[0031] The MTU value represents a maximum size of data that can be
transferred at a time over the communication network through which
data from the mobile station 1 is transmitted. If data with a size
exceeding the MTU value is transmitted, the transmitted data is not
forwarded intact without being segmented into a smaller data size.
Such data is discarded or fragmented (segmented) for transmission
by a communication apparatus on the transmission path of the
communication network over which the data is transmitted.
[0032] The mobile station-side transmitter 1b transmits data, the
size of which is smaller than or equal to the MTU value stored in
the mobile station-side memory 1c, to the destination of data
transmission.
[0033] Namely, in accordance with the MTU value acquired by the
mobile station-side acquirer 1a, the mobile station-side
transmitter 1b sets the size of transmit data to be smaller than or
equal to the MTU value, and transmits the data. Consequently, the
data transmitted from the mobile station 1 reaches the destination
without being fragmented or discarded at some point on the
transmission path of the communication network.
[0034] The mobile station-side memory 1c stores the MTU value
notified from the base station-side notifier 2b and acquired by the
mobile station-side acquirer 1a. The MTU value represents the MTU
of the transmission path on the network through which data from the
mobile station 1 is transmitted.
[0035] The base station 2 comprises a base station-side acquirer
2a, the base station-side notifier 2b, and a base station-side
memory 2c.
[0036] The base station-side acquirer 2a acquires the MTU value,
which is the maximum size of data that can be transferred at a time
over the transmission path through which data is transmitted from
the mobile station 1 to the destination, and stores the acquired
MTU value in the base station-side memory 2c. Thus, the MTU value
is acquired as a criterion according to which the size of data to
be transmitted from the mobile station 1 is determined.
[0037] The base station-side notifier 2b notifies the mobile
station 1 of the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory
2c.
[0038] The base station-side memory 2c stores the MTU value of the
transmission path through which data from the mobile station 1 is
transmitted.
[0039] In the mobile communication system configured as described
above, the memory 2c of the base station 2 stores the MTU value of
the transmission path through which data from the mobile station 1
is transmitted, the base station-side acquirer 2a acquires the MTU
value of the transmission path and stores the acquired MTU value in
the base station-side memory 2c, and the base station-side notifier
2b notifies the mobile station 1 of the MTU value stored in the
base station-side memory 2c. In the mobile station 1, the mobile
station-side memory 1c stores the MTU value of the transmission
path notified by the base station-side notifier 2b, the mobile
station-side acquirer la acquires the MTU value notified from the
base station-side notifier 2b and stores the acquired MTU value in
the mobile station-side memory 1c, and the mobile station-side
transmitter 1b transmits data to the destination with the size of
the data set to be smaller than or equal to the MTU value stored in
the mobile station-side memory 1c.
[0040] Thus, the MTU value of the transmission path is acquired and
notified to the mobile station. It is therefore possible to cause
the mobile station to transmit data with a size matching the MTU
value of the transmission path while at the same time restraining
increase in the load of apparatuses constituting the transmission
path.
[0041] The embodiment will be now described in more detail with
reference to the drawings.
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates a system configuration according to the
embodiment. A mobile communication system of the embodiment permits
a mobile station to communicate with another mobile station via
radio base stations. The mobile communication system comprises
mobile stations 100a and 100b, base stations 200a to 200d,
repeaters 300a and 300b, and a core network 400.
[0043] The base stations 200a and 200b and the repeater 300a are
connected to each other by a wire, and the base stations 200c and
200d and the repeater 300b are connected to each other by a wire.
The repeaters 300a and 300b are interconnected by a wire. Also, the
repeater 300a is connected to the core network 400.
[0044] The mobile stations 100a and 100b are each a radio terminal
apparatus capable of wireless communication with the base stations
200a to 200d and correspond to what is called UE (User Equipment).
Each of the mobile stations 100a and 100b has a configuration and
functionality identical with those of a mobile station 100
described later with reference to FIG. 3.
[0045] The base stations 200a to 200d are each a communication
apparatus for performing wireless communication with the mobile
stations 100a and 100b and correspond to what is called eNB
(E-UTRAN Node B) or Node-B. Each of the base stations 200a to 200d
has a configuration and functionality identical with those of a
base station 200 described later with reference to FIG. 3.
[0046] When data is received wirelessly from the mobile station
100a or 100b, the base station 200a, 200b transmits the received
data to the repeater 300a. Also, when data is received wirelessly
from the mobile station 100a or 100b, the base station 200c, 200d
transmits the received data to the repeater 300b. The repeater 300a
and the base stations 200a and 200b are connected by the S1-AP
(S1-Application Protocol), and the repeater 300b and the base
stations 200c and 200d are also connected by the S1-AP.
[0047] The base stations 200a to 200d are connected to each other
and capable of exchanging MTU values respectively stored therein.
The base stations are connected by means of the X2-AP
(X2-Application Protocol).
[0048] The repeater 300a, 300b controls the base stations under
management and also transfers data. The repeater 300a, 300b
corresponds to what is called MME/S-GW (Mobility Management
Entity/Serving GateWay), RNC (Radio Network Controller) or BSC
(Base Station Controller). Each of the repeaters 300a and 300b has
a configuration and functionality identical with those of a
repeater 300 described later with reference to FIG. 3.
[0049] The core network 400 is a network for relaying data
exchanged between repeaters including the repeaters 300a and 300b.
The core network 400 includes a circuit switch 410 and a packet
switch 420.
[0050] The circuit switch 410 processes voice switching (circuit
switching: CS) calls, and the packet switch 420 processes packet
switching (PS) calls. The circuit switch 410 controls the traffic
of CS calls, and the packet switch 420 controls the traffic of PS
calls.
[0051] The mobile communication system described above can be
implemented, for example, as a CDMA communication system with the
HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access) function standardized by
the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project).
[0052] In FIG. 2, the repeaters 300a and 300b are directly
connected with each other but may alternatively be connected via
the core network 400.
[0053] Functions of the mobile communication system of the
embodiment will be now described.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the mobile communication system
of the embodiment. In the mobile communication system illustrated
in FIG. 3, wireless data communication is performed between the
base station and the mobile station to allow the mobile station to
transmit data to a destination via the base station. The mobile
communication system comprises the mobile station 100, the base
station 200, and the repeater 300. The repeater 300 is connected to
the core network 400. The mobile station 100 is connected with a
destination of data transmission (not illustrated) through the core
network 400.
[0055] With regard to the transmission path from the mobile station
100 to the destination, the network configuration of the
transmission path often changes due to handover during wireless
communication or other changes in communication conditions. Change
of the network configuration is generally accompanied by change in
the MTU value.
[0056] The mobile communication system of the embodiment has the
configuration and functionality described below in order that the
size of data transmitted from the mobile station 100 may match the
MTU value of the transmission path.
[0057] The mobile station 100 comprises a mobile station-side
acquirer 110, a mobile station-side transmitter 120, and a mobile
station-side memory 130.
[0058] The mobile station-side acquirer 110 acquires an MTU value
notified by a base station-side notifier 220, and stores the
acquired MTU value in the mobile station-side memory 130.
[0059] The MTU value represents the maximum size of data that can
be transferred at a time over the communication network via which
data from the mobile station 100 is transmitted. Where data with a
size exceeding the MTU value is transmitted, the transmitted data
is not forwarded intact without being reduced in data size. Such
data is discarded or fragmented (segmented) for transmission by a
communication apparatus on the transmission path of the
communication network through which the data is transmitted.
[0060] The mobile station-side transmitter 120 sends data, the size
of which is smaller than or equal to the MTU value stored in the
mobile station-side memory 130, to the base station 200 via a
transmission path 12. The data transmitted from the mobile
station-side transmitter 120 is forwarded to the destination via
the transmission path 12, the base station 200, a transmission path
23, the repeater 300, a transmission path 34, and the core network
400.
[0061] Thus, in accordance with the MTU value acquired by the
mobile station-side acquirer 110, the mobile station-side
transmitter 120 sets the data size to be smaller than or equal to
the MTU value, and transmits data with the set size. Consequently,
the data transmitted from the mobile station 100 is forwarded to
the destination without being fragmented or discarded at some point
on the transmission path of the communication network.
[0062] The mobile station-side memory 130 stores the MTU value
notified from the base station-side notifier 220 and acquired by
the mobile station-side acquirer 110. The MTU value represents the
MTU of the transmission path on the network through which the data
from the mobile station 100 is transmitted.
[0063] The base station 200 supports the Path MTU according to the
ICMP. The base station 200 obtains the MTU value of the
transmission path by the Path MTU discovery utilizing the ICMP.
[0064] The base station 200 comprises a base station-side acquirer
210, the base station-side notifier 220, and a base station-side
memory 230.
[0065] The base station-side acquirer 210 acquires the MTU value of
the transmission path 12 through which data is transmitted from the
mobile station 100 to the destination, and stores the acquired MTU
value in the base station-side memory 230. Thus, the MTU value is
acquired as a criterion according to which the size of data to be
transmitted from the mobile station 100 is determined.
[0066] Also, the base station-side acquirer 210 acquires an MTU
value notified by a repeater-side notifier 320, and stores the
acquired MTU value in the base station-side memory 230.
[0067] Further, at the time of handover of the mobile station 100,
the base station-side acquirer 210 acquires an MTU value of a
destination-side transmission path 23 connected to a destination
base station (not illustrated), which is a base station to which
the mobile station 100 is connected after the handover (i.e., the
MTU value of the transmission path from the destination base
station to the repeater 300), and stores the acquired MTU value in
the base station-side memory 230. The process executed in the
mobile communication system of the embodiment at the time of
handover will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.
11 and 12.
[0068] Moreover, when operation of the base station 200 is started,
the base station-side acquirer 210 acquires the MTU value notified
by the repeater-side notifier 320, and stores the acquired MTU
value in the base station-side memory 230.
[0069] In addition, the base station-side acquirer 210 acquires the
MTU value of the transmission path at predetermined intervals of
time and updates the MTU value stored in the base station-side
memory 230 with the acquired MTU value. Thus, the path MTU
discovery of the base station 200 is executed independently of the
start of data communication of the mobile station 100.
[0070] The base station-side notifier 220 notifies the mobile
station 100 of the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory
230.
[0071] Also, when the MTU value acquired from the destination base
station is stored in the base station-side memory 230, the base
station-side notifier 220 notifies the mobile station 100 of the
MTU value stored in the base station-side memory 230 and acquired
from the destination base station.
[0072] Further, when a call connection for data transmission is
initiated at the mobile station 100, the base station-side notifier
220 notifies the mobile station 100 of the MTU value stored in the
base station-side memory 230.
[0073] Specifically, the base station-side notifier 220 includes,
in a message for establishing a call connection with the mobile
station 100, the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory
230. Then, the base station-side notifier 220 sends the message
including the MTU value to the mobile station 100, thereby
notifying the mobile station 100 of the MTU value stored in the
base station-side memory 230.
[0074] The base station-side memory 230 stores the MTU value of the
transmission path 12 through which data from the mobile station 100
is transmitted.
[0075] The repeater 300 comprises a repeater-side acquirer 310, the
repeater-side notifier 320, and a repeater-side memory 330.
[0076] The repeater-side acquirer 310 acquires, at predetermined
intervals of time, the MTU value of the destination-side
transmission path connected to the destination of data transmission
from the mobile station 100 (i.e., the MTU value of the
transmission path from the repeater-side acquirer 310 to the
destination via the transmission path 34 and the core network 400).
In this case, the repeater 300 acquires the MTU value of the
transmission path by the path MTU discovery utilizing the ICMP,
like the base station 200. Subsequently, the repeater-side acquirer
310 updates the MTU value stored in the repeater-side memory 330
with the acquired MTU value. Consequently, the MTU value stored in
the repeater-side memory 330 is periodically updated to the latest
value reflecting change in the topology of the communication
network for transmitting data. Also, the path MTU discovery of the
repeater 300 is executed independently of the start of data
communication of the mobile station 100.
[0077] The repeater-side notifier 320 notifies the acquirer 210 in
the base station 200 of the MTU value stored in the repeater-side
memory 330.
[0078] Also, when operation of the base station 200 is started, the
repeater-side notifier 320 notifies the base station-side acquirer
210 of the MTU value stored in the repeater-side memory 330.
[0079] The repeater-side notifier 320 includes, in a message for
establishing a call connection with the mobile station 100, the MTU
value stored in the repeater-side memory 330. Then, the
repeater-side notifier 320 sends the message including the MTU
value to the mobile station 100, thereby notifying the base station
200 of the MTU value stored in the repeater-side memory 330.
[0080] The repeater-side memory 330 stores the MTU value of the
destination-side transmission path.
[0081] Operation of the mobile communication system will be now
described.
[0082] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the operation of the
mobile communication system. The mobile communication system
illustrated in FIG. 4 permits the mobile station 100 to communicate
data with a destination (not illustrated) connected to the core
network 400. Assuming that the mobile station 100 is connected with
the destination, not illustrated, via the base station 200a, the
repeater 300 and the core network 400, by way of example, the
manner of how the mobile station 100 acquires the MTU value for
setting the size of data to be transmitted therefrom to the
destination will be described.
[0083] The repeater 300 acquires an MTU value 434a of a
transmission path including the transmission path 34 connecting the
core network 400 to the repeater 300 and the core network 400. The
acquired MTU value 434a is stored in the repeater 300. This MTU
value is acquired at regular intervals of time so as to update the
MTU value stored in the repeater 300. Also, the repeater 300 sends
the latest MTU value 302a to the base stations 200a to 200c via
respective transmission paths 23a to 23c.
[0084] The base stations 200a to 200c receive the MTU value 302a
notified from the repeater 300.
[0085] Also, the base station 200a acquires, by means of the path
MTU discovery, an MTU value 223a of the transmission path 23a
between the apparatus 200a and the repeater 300. Similarly, the
base station 200b acquires an MTU value 223b of the transmission
path 23b between the apparatus 200b and the repeater 300, and the
base station 200c acquires an MTU value 223c of the transmission
path 23c between the apparatus 200c and the repeater 300.
[0086] Further, the base station 200a compares the MTU value 302a
notified from the repeater 300 with the MTU value 223a of the
transmission path 23a acquired thereby, and stores the smaller MTU
value therein.
[0087] Specifically, when notified of the MTU value 302a from the
repeater 300, the base station 200a compares the stored MTU value
with the MTU value 302a notified from the repeater 300 and, if the
stored value is greater, updates the stored MTU value with the
notified MTU value 302a. On the other hand, if it is found as a
result of the comparison that the stored MTU value is smaller than
or equal to the notified MTU value 302a, the stored MTU value is
not updated.
[0088] Also, on acquiring the MTU value 223a from the transmission
path 23a, the base station 200a compares the stored MTU value with
the acquired MTU value 223a of the transmission path 23a and, if
the stored value is greater, updates the stored MTU value with the
acquired MTU value 223a. On the other hand, if it is found as a
result of the comparison that the stored MTU value is smaller than
or equal to the acquired MTU value 223a, the stored MTU value is
not updated.
[0089] Alternatively, on acquiring the MTU value 223a of the
transmission path 23a, the base station 200a may update the stored
MTU value with the acquired MTU value 223a without making a
comparison between the MTU values. Also, when the MTU value 302a is
notified from the repeater 300, the base station 200a may update
the stored MTU value with the notified MTU value 302a without
making a comparison between the MTU values. In this case, the
stored MTU value is reset to the MTU value 223a actually acquired
from the transmission path 23a and to the MTU value 302a notified
from the repeater 300. This prevents the stored MTU value from
becoming smaller and smaller, thus making it possible to avoid the
situation where, although the actual MTU value of the transmission
path has become large, the set data size does not reflect the
actual MTU value.
[0090] The base stations 200b and 200c update their MTU value in
the same manner as explained above.
[0091] At the start of an incoming/outgoing call to/from the mobile
station 100, the base station 200a notifies the mobile station 100
of the MTU value 201a stored therein. On establishment of
connection with the destination, the mobile station 100 starts to
communicate data with the destination. At this time, the data 101a
bound for the destination is transmitted from the mobile station
100 to the base station 200a with the data size determined based on
the MTU value 201a notified from the base station 200a (e.g., data
size smaller than or equal to the notified MTU value).
Subsequently, the data 101a is forwarded from the base station 200a
to the repeater 300 as data 101b, and then from the repeater 300 to
the destination as data 101c.
[0092] The size of the data 101a to 101c does not exceed the MTU
value of the transmission path from the path 23a to the destination
unless the network conditions change for the worse, and therefore,
the data reaches the destination without being fragmented or
discarded.
[0093] In this manner, the mobile station 100 transmits data with
the data size set on the basis of the acquired MTU value of the
transmission path so that the data can be transmitted without being
fragmented or discarded at some point on the transmission path.
[0094] The base stations 200a to 200c are connected with each
other, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and thus can exchange the MTU
values respectively stored therein. Accordingly, where a handover
of the mobile station 100 is necessary and the base station
connected with the mobile station 100 is to be switched from the
base station 200a to the base station 200b, for example, the source
base station 200a communicates with the destination base station
200b to acquire the MTU value and notifies the mobile station 100
of the acquired MTU value. On receiving the notification, the
mobile station 100 starts to transmit data with the data size set
on the basis of the notified MTU value.
[0095] Thus, also at the time of handover, the mobile station 100
acquires, from the source base station 200a, the MTU value of the
transmission path connected to the destination base station 200b,
and performs data transmission via the destination base station
200b with the data size set on the basis of the acquired MTU
value.
[0096] In this manner, following the handover, the mobile station
100 transmits data with the data size set on the basis of the
acquired MTU value of the destination base station 200b, whereby
the data can be forwarded to the destination without being
fragmented or discarded at some point on the transmission path.
[0097] FIG. 5 illustrates protocol stacks associated with S1-AP
messaging. In this embodiment, the mobile station 100, the base
station 200 and the repeater 300 are serially connected by means of
the illustrated protocol stacks.
[0098] The protocol stack of the mobile station 100 comprises, for
example, PHY (physical layer), MAC (Media Access Control), RLC
(Radio Link Control), PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol), RRC
(Radio Resource Control), and NAS (Non Access Stratum) from the
lowest level upward.
[0099] The mobile station-side protocol stack of the base station
200 comprises, from the lowest level upward, PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP,
and RRC.
[0100] The repeater-side protocol stack of the base station 200
comprises, from the lowest level upward, PHY, MAC, IP (Internet
Protocol), SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol), and
S1-AP.
[0101] The base station-side protocol stack of the repeater 300
comprises, from the lowest level upward, PHY, MAC, IP, SCTP, S1-AP,
and NAS.
[0102] Processes executed in the mobile communication system of the
embodiment will be now described.
[0103] First, a process performed in the mobile communication
system at the start of an outgoing/incoming call from/to the mobile
station 100 will be explained.
[0104] FIGS. 6 and 7 are sequence diagrams illustrating a
processing procedure from call connection to data transfer.
[0105] In mobile communication systems defined by 3GPP LTE (Long
Term Evolution), an S1-AP message (S1 UE context setup request) is
sent from the repeater 300 to the base station 200 to connect a
call with the mobile station 100 that is to initiate/receive an
outgoing/incoming call. The S1-AP message transmitted from the
repeater 300 to the base station 200 includes the MTU value stored
in the repeater 300, whereby the base station 200 is notified of
the MTU value from the repeater 300.
[0106] On receiving the S1-AP message (S1 UE context setup
request), the base station 200 sends an RRC message (SAE radio
bearer setup) to the mobile station 100 which is to
initiate/receive an outgoing/incoming call. The base station 200
includes, in the RRC message to be transmitted to the mobile
station 100, the MTU value stored therein, whereby the mobile
station 100 is notified of the MTU value from the base station
200.
[0107] In the following, the processing procedure will be explained
with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0108] Step S111: The repeater 300 carries out MTU discovery with
respect to the core network-side transmission path. The MTU
discovery will be described in detail later.
[0109] Step S112: The repeater 300 receives, from the core
network-side transmission path, a response to the MTU discovery
executed in Step S111, and acquires a minimum MTU value of the core
network-side transmission path.
[0110] In order to prevent the execution of the path MTU discovery
from causing increase of the network load and consequent lowering
in the transmission efficiency, the repeater 300 carries out the
MTU discovery with respect to the transmission path to the core
network 400 at regular intervals of time independently of
initiation of data communication of terminals, and stores the
minimum MTU value of the transmission path to the core network 400
in the repeater-side memory 330.
[0111] At this time, the MTU value already stored in the repeater
300 is updated to the newly acquired MTU value, thus making it
possible to cope with change of the MTU value due to topology
modification. The MTU value can be obtained by a method utilizing
the ICMP (path MTU discovery), for example.
[0112] Specifically, the path MTU discovery is executed in the
following manner. A transmitting side (e.g., repeater 300)
transmits, to a destination (e.g., core network 400), an ICMP
packet which has a sufficiently large size and of which
fragmentation is forbidden. If the size of the transmitted ICMP
packet is larger than the smallest one of the MTUs of the
transmission path, an error message is returned from a apparatus
constituting the transmission path.
[0113] When the error message is received, the transmitting side
transmits an ICMP packet with a smaller size. This process is
repeated with the packet size successively reduced. If a response
to an ICMP packet is returned from the destination, the size of the
ICMP packet then transmitted is an optimum MTU of the transmission
path.
[0114] Step S113: The repeater 300 stores the MTU value, acquired
in Step S112, in the repeater-side memory 330 as a core
network-side MTU value. Where a core network-side MTU value is
already stored, the repeater 300 updates the stored MTU value with
the currently acquired MTU value.
[0115] In this embodiment, the repeater 300 repeatedly executes
Steps S111 to S113 at regular intervals of time (e.g., at intervals
of 10 minutes). Accordingly, the core network-side MTU value stored
in the repeater 300 is periodically updated, making it possible to
cope with change in the network topology of the core network-side
transmission path.
[0116] Step S114: The base station 200 performs MTU discovery with
respect to the repeater-side transmission path in the same manner
as stated above.
[0117] Step S115: The base station 200 receives, from the
repeater-side transmission path, a response to the MTU discovery
executed in Step S114, and acquires a minimum MTU value of the
repeater-side transmission path.
[0118] In this embodiment, to prevent the execution of the MTU
discovery from causing increase of the network load and consequent
lowering in the transmission efficiency, the base station 200
performs the MTU discovery with respect to the transmission path to
the repeater 300 at regular intervals of time independently of
initiation of data communication of terminals, like the repeater
300, and stores the minimum MTU value of the transmission path to
the repeater 300 in the base station-side memory 230.
[0119] Step S116: The base station 200 stores the MTU value,
acquired in Step S115, in the base station-side memory 230 as a
repeater-side MTU value. Where a repeater-side MTU value is already
stored, the base station 200 updates the stored MTU value with the
currently acquired MTU value.
[0120] In this embodiment, the base station 200 repeatedly executes
Steps S114 to S116 at regular intervals of time (e.g., at intervals
of 10 minutes), like the repeater 300. Accordingly, the
repeater-side MTU value stored in the base station 200 is
periodically updated, making it possible to cope with change in the
network topology of the repeater-side transmission path.
[0121] The following describes a process executed when an
outgoing/incoming call from/to the mobile station 100 is initiated
with the MTU values, acquired as described above, stored in the
base station 200 and the repeater 300, respectively.
[0122] Step S121: At the start of an outgoing/incoming call from/to
the mobile station 100, the repeater 300 sends the MTU value stored
in Step S113 (see FIG. 6) to the base station 200 connected with
the mobile station 100. The MTU value to be notified is included in
an S1-AP message as stated above.
[0123] Step S122: On receiving the S1-AP message transmitted in
Step S121 from the repeater 300, the base station 200 extracts the
MTU value included in the received S1-AP message. Then, the base
station 200 compares the MTU value extracted from the S1-AP message
with the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory 230 in
Step S116 (see FIG. 6).
[0124] Step S123: If it is found as a result of the comparison in
Step S122 that the notified MTU value is smaller, the base station
200 updates the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory
230 with the notified MTU value. On the other hand, if the MTU
value stored in the base station-side memory 230 is smaller than or
equal to the notified MTU value, the base station 200 does not
update the MTU value.
[0125] Step S124: The base station 200 notifies the mobile station
100 of the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory 230.
The MTU value to be notified is included in an RRC message as
stated above.
[0126] Step S125: On receiving the RRC message transmitted in Step
S124 from the base station 200, the mobile station 100 extracts the
MTU value included in the received RRC message, to acquire the base
station-side MTU value.
[0127] Subsequently, the mobile station 100 starts data
communication by using the MTU value acquired in Step S125. The
following describes the manner of how the mobile station 100
transmits data by using the acquired MTU value.
[0128] Step S126: Based on the MTU value acquired in Step S125, the
mobile station 100 generates, from user data, a packet with a data
size equal to the MTU value (or smaller than the MTU value).
[0129] Step S127: The mobile station 100 transmits the packet
generated in Step S126 from the user data to the core network 400
via the base station 200 and the repeater 300. The packet
transmitted at this time has a data size smaller than or equal to
the MTU value of the transmission path and thus is forwarded to the
destination without being fragmented.
[0130] The following describes a process executed in the mobile
communication system of the embodiment when an outgoing/incoming
call is initiated at multiple mobile stations (e.g., two mobile
stations 100a and 100b).
[0131] FIGS. 8 to 10 are sequence diagrams illustrating a
processing procedure from call connection to data transfer with
respect to multiple mobile stations.
[0132] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the processing procedure will be
explained.
[0133] Step S211: The repeater 300 performs the MTU discovery with
respect to the core network-side transmission path.
[0134] Step S212: The repeater 300 receives, from the core
network-side transmission path, a response to the MTU discovery
executed in Step S211, and acquires a minimum MTU value of the core
network-side transmission path.
[0135] Step S213: The repeater 300 stores the MTU value, acquired
in Step S212, in the repeater-side memory 330 as the core
network-side MTU value. Where a core network-side MTU value is
already stored, the repeater 300 updates the stored MTU value with
the currently acquired MTU value.
[0136] In this embodiment, the repeater 300 repeatedly executes
Steps S211 to S213 at regular intervals of time (e.g., at intervals
of 10 minutes).
[0137] Step S214: The base station 200 performs the MTU discovery
with respect to the repeater-side transmission path in the same
manner as stated above.
[0138] Step S215: The base station 200 receives, from the
repeater-side transmission path, a response to the MTU discovery
executed in Step S214, and acquires a minimum MTU value of the
repeater-side transmission path.
[0139] Step S216: The base station 200 stores the MTU value,
acquired in Step S215, in the base station-side memory 230 as the
repeater-side MTU value. Where a repeater-side MTU value is already
stored, the base station 200 updates the stored MTU value with the
currently acquired MTU value.
[0140] The following describes a process executed when an
outgoing/incoming call is initiated at the mobile stations 100a and
100b with the MTU values, acquired as described above, stored in
the base station 200 and the repeater 300, respectively.
[0141] Step S221: At the start of an outgoing/incoming call from/to
the mobile station 100a (mobile station A), the repeater 300 sends
the MTU value stored in Step S213 (see FIG. 8) to the base station
200 connected with the mobile station 100a. The MTU value to be
notified is included in an S1-AP message as stated above.
[0142] Step S222: On receiving the S1-AP message transmitted in
Step S221 from the repeater 300, the base station 200 extracts the
MTU value included in the received S1-AP message. Then, the base
station 200 compares the MTU value extracted from the S1-AP message
with the MTU value stored in Step S216 (see FIG. 8) in the base
station-side memory 230.
[0143] Step S223: If it is found as a result of the comparison in
Step S222 that the notified MTU value is smaller, the base station
200 updates the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory
230 with the notified MTU value. On the other hand, if the MTU
value stored in the base station-side memory 230 is smaller than or
equal to the notified MTU value, the base station 200 does not
update the MTU value.
[0144] Step S224: The base station 200 notifies the mobile station
100a of the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory 230.
The MTU value to be notified is included in an RRC message as
stated above.
[0145] Step S225: On receiving the RRC message transmitted in Step
S224 from the base station 200, the mobile station 100a extracts
the MTU value included in the received RRC message, to acquire the
base station-side MTU value.
[0146] Subsequently, the mobile station 100a starts data
communication by using the MTU value acquired in Step S225. The
following describes the manner of how the mobile station 100a
transmits data by using the acquired MTU value.
[0147] Step S226: Based on the MTU value acquired in Step S225, the
mobile station 100a generates, from user data, a packet with a data
size equal to the MTU value (or smaller than the MTU value).
[0148] Step S227: The mobile station 100a transmits the packet
generated in Step S226 from the user data to the core network 400
via the base station 200 and the repeater 300. The packet
transmitted at this time has a data size smaller than or equal to
the MTU value of the transmission path and thus reaches the
destination without being fragmented.
[0149] Step S231: At the start of an outgoing/incoming call from/to
the mobile station 100b (mobile station B), the repeater 300 sends
the MTU value stored in Step S213 (see FIG. 8) to the base station
200 connected with the mobile station 100b. The MTU value to be
notified is included in an S1-AP message as stated above.
[0150] Step S232: On receiving the S1-AP message transmitted in
Step S231 from the repeater 300, the base station 200 extracts the
MTU value included in the received S1-AP message. Subsequently, the
base station 200 compares the MTU value extracted from the S1-AP
message with the MTU value stored in Step S216 (see FIG. 8) in the
base station-side memory 230.
[0151] Step S233: If it is found as a result of the comparison in
Step S232 that the notified MTU value is smaller, the base station
200 updates the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory
230 with the notified MTU value. On the other hand, if the MTU
value stored in the base station-side memory 230 is smaller than or
equal to the notified MTU value, the base station 200 does not
update the MTU value.
[0152] Step S234: The base station 200 notifies the mobile station
100b of the MTU value stored in the base station-side memory 230.
The MTU value to be notified is included in an RRC message as
mentioned above.
[0153] Step S235: On receiving the RRC message transmitted in Step
S234 from the base station 200, the mobile station 100b extracts
the MTU value included in the received RRC message, to acquire the
MTU value.
[0154] Subsequently, the mobile station 100b starts data
communication by using the MTU value acquired in Step S235. The
following describes the manner of how the mobile station 100b
transmits data by using the acquired MTU value.
[0155] Step S236: Based on the MTU value acquired in Step S235, the
mobile station 100b generates, from user data, a packet with a data
size equal to the MTU value (or smaller than the MTU value).
[0156] Step S237: The mobile station 100b transmits the packet
generated in Step S236 from the user data to the core network 400
via the base station 200 and the repeater 300. The packet
transmitted at this time has a data size smaller than or equal to
the MTU value of the transmission path and thus is forwarded to the
destination without being fragmented.
[0157] In this manner, in the mobile communication system of the
embodiment, the base station 200 and the repeater 300 individually
carry out the MTU discovery at regular intervals of time
independently of each other. Accordingly, when an outgoing/incoming
call is initiated at multiple mobile stations, no MTU discovery is
executed in consequence of the initiation of the outgoing/incoming
call at the multiple mobile stations. Instead, at the start of an
outgoing/incoming call from/to a mobile station, the MTU value
stored in the repeater 300 is included in an S1-AP message and
transmitted from the repeater 300 to the base station 200, and the
MTU value stored in the base station 200 is included in an RRC
message and transmitted from the base station 200 to the mobile
station. Thus, even if an outgoing/incoming call is initiated
simultaneously or consecutively at multiple mobile stations, the
MTU discovery need not be executed in response to each call.
Consequently, the load of the transmission path can be prevented
from being increased due to the execution of multiple MTU
discoveries, yet it is possible to notify the call-initiating
mobile stations of the MTU value.
[0158] The following describes a process executed in the mobile
communication system of the embodiment when the mobile station 100
connected to the base station 200a is handed over to the base
station 200b.
[0159] FIG. 11 illustrates protocol stacks related with X2-AP
messaging. At the time of handover, the mobile station 100 and the
base stations 200a and 200b are connected by means of the
illustrated protocol stacks.
[0160] The protocol stack of the mobile station 100 comprises, from
the lowest level upward, PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and RRC.
[0161] The mobile station-side protocol stack of the source base
station 200a from which the mobile station 100 is handed over
comprises, from the lowest level upward, PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and
RRC, like the one illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0162] The destination base station-side protocol stack of the
source base station 200a comprises, from the lowest level upward,
PHY, MAC, IP, SCTP, and X2-AP.
[0163] The source base station-side protocol stack of the
destination base station 200b comprises, from the lowest level
upward, PHY, MAC, IP, SCTP, and X2-AP.
[0164] The following describes the procedure of a process executed
in the mobile communication system of the embodiment at the time of
handover.
[0165] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a handover
procedure.
[0166] Let us suppose the case where, in the mobile communication
system, a handover of the mobile station takes place because of
movement of the mobile station. At the time of handover from the
source base station to the destination base station, the MTU value
of the source-side transmission path generally differs from that of
the destination-side transmission path. Thus, if data is
transmitted from the mobile station to the destination-side
transmission path with the data size set on the basis of the MTU
value of the source-side transmission path even though the MTU
value of the destination-side transmission path is smaller than
that of the source-side transmission path, the data transmitted
from the mobile station is fragmented at some point on the
destination-side transmission path, possibly lowering the
transmission efficiency of the transmission path. Where the MTU
value of the destination-side transmission path is greater than
that of the source-side transmission path, on the other hand, the
MTU value is smaller than necessary, also creating the possibility
of the transmission efficiency being lowered.
[0167] At the time of handover between base stations in the LTE
system, the source base station sends an X2-AP message (Handover
Request) to the destination base station to notify same of the
start of a handover.
[0168] In the mobile communication system of this embodiment, when
the X2-AP message (Handover Request) is received from the base
station 200a, which is the source apparatus from which the mobile
station is handed over, the base station 200b, which is the
destination apparatus to which the mobile station is handed over,
notifies the base station 200a of the MTU value stored therein by
using an X2-AP message (Handover request Ack) sent as a response to
the base station 200a.
[0169] When the X2-AP message (Handover request Ack) is received
from the base station 200b, the base station 200a obtains
connection information of the base station 200b and also extracts
the MTU value of the base station 200b from the X2-AP message
(Handover request Ack). Then, the base station 200a includes the
extracted MTU value in an RRC message (Handover command) and sends
the message to the mobile station 100 which is being handed
over.
[0170] The mobile station 100 adjusts the transmit packet size in
accordance with the MTU value extracted from the received handover
command, and transmits packets to the destination base station
200b, whereby user data is transmitted via the transmission path
including the base station 200b.
[0171] The following describes, with reference to FIG. 12, a
process executed in the mobile communication system of the
embodiment when the mobile station 100 communicating with the
source base station 200a is handed over to the destination base
station 200b.
[0172] Step S311: The mobile station 100 is transmitting user data
by sending packets to the destination via the source base station
200a, the repeater 300, and the core network 400. Each packet being
transmitted has a data size smaller than or equal to the MTU value
of the transmission path including the base station 200a, and thus
is transmitted to the destination without being fragmented at some
point on the transmission path including the base station 200a.
[0173] Step S312: The mobile station 100 transmits a handover
measurement report notification.
[0174] Step S313: On receiving the handover measurement report
notification transmitted in Step S312 from the mobile station 100,
the source base station 200a makes a handover decision to determine
whether to perform a handover.
[0175] Step S314: If it is judged by the handover decision in Step
S313 that a handover needs to be executed, the base station 200a
starts the handover.
[0176] Step S315: The base station 200a transmits a handover
request to the destination base station 200b. The aforementioned
X2-AP message (Handover Request) is used to send the handover
request.
[0177] Step S316: On receiving the handover request from the base
station 200a, the base station 200b transmits a handover response
to the base station 200a. The handover response is transmitted by
using the aforementioned X2-AP message (Handover request Ack).
Also, the handover response includes the repeater-side MTU value
stored in the base station 200b.
[0178] Step S317: On receiving the handover response transmitted in
Step S316 from the base station 200b, the base station 200a
extracts the MTU value included in the received handover response,
thereby acquiring the repeater-side MTU value held by the base
station 200b.
[0179] Step S318: The base station 200a transmits a handover
command to the mobile station 100. The aforementioned RRC message
(Handover command) is used to send the handover command. Also, the
handover command includes the MTU value acquired in Step S317.
[0180] Step S319: On receiving the handover command transmitted in
Step S318 from the base station 200a, the mobile station 100
extracts the MTU value included in the received handover command,
to acquire the repeater-side MTU value held by the base station
200b.
[0181] Step S320: The mobile station 100 transmits a packet
generated from user data to the core network 400 via the base
station 200b and the repeater 300. The packet transmitted has a
data size smaller than or equal to the MTU value of the
transmission path including the base station 200b, and thus can be
transmitted to the destination without being fragmented at some
point on the transmission path including the destination base
station 200b.
[0182] Thus, also at the time of handover, the mobile station 100
can acquire the MTU value of the destination base station 200b by
extracting the MTU value included in the handover command message.
Accordingly, the mobile station 100 need not perform the MTU
discovery, and it is also possible to prevent the network load from
being increased due to the execution of fragmentation by the
destination base station 200b.
[0183] The following describes processes executed in the mobile
communication system of the embodiment when a non-operating base
station is restarted.
[0184] In this embodiment, when operation of the base station 200
is restarted, the MTU value to be set in the base station 200 after
the restart of operation is included in a restart command message
which is transmitted from the repeater 300 connected with the base
station 200 and which instructs the base station 200 to execute a
restart process. The base station 200 (or some other associated
node) extracts the MTU value from the received restart command
message and stores the extracted MTU value in the base station-side
memory 230. When an incoming/outgoing call to/from the mobile
station 100 is initiated thereafter, the base station 200 sends an
RRC message including the MTU value stored therein to the mobile
station 100.
[0185] Where the mobile communication system of the embodiment is
constituted by an LTE system, operation of the base station 200 is
restarted following the procedure described below.
[0186] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure for
restarting the base station in the LTE system.
[0187] Step S411: The repeater 300 acquires the core network-side
MTU value by means of the path MTU discovery and stores the
acquired MTU value in the repeater-side memory 330. Where a core
network-side MTU value is already stored, the repeater 300 updates
the stored value with the currently acquired MTU value.
[0188] Step S412: The repeater 300 transmits a restart command
message to the base station 200. The restart command message
includes the MTU value stored in Step S411. Thus, the MTU value
that is to be set in the base station 200 to be restarted is sent
from the repeater 300 to the base station 200.
[0189] Step S413: On receiving the restart command message
transmitted in Step S412 from the repeater 300, the base station
200 extracts the MTU value included in the received RRC message, to
acquire the base station-side MTU value.
[0190] Step S414: After receiving the restart command message
transmitted in Step S412 from the repeater 300, the base station
200 executes a restart process. On restart of operation by the
restart process, the base station 200 sends the repeater 300 a
restart notification message indicative of the restart of
operation. The restart of operation of the base station 200 is
thereafter completed.
[0191] Step S415: The base station 200 stores the MTU value,
acquired in Step S413, in the base station-side memory 230. When an
incoming/outgoing call to/from the mobile station 100 is initiated
thereafter, the base station 200 sends an RRC message including the
MTU value stored therein to the mobile station 100, as stated
above.
[0192] Thus, also when operation of the base station 200 is
restarted, the MTU value held by the repeater 300 is transmitted to
the base station 200. Accordingly, the base station 200 need not
perform the MTU discovery when restarted, making it possible to
prevent the network load from being increased at the restart of the
base station.
[0193] Where the mobile communication system of the embodiment is
constituted by a 3G system, operation of the base station 200 is
restarted following the procedure described below. In the 3G
system, a node B application part (NBAP) message is used when
operation of the base station 200 is restarted.
[0194] FIGS. 14 and 15 are sequence diagrams illustrating the
procedure for restarting the base station in the 3G system.
[0195] Step S511: The repeater 300 acquires the core network-side
MTU value by means of the path MTU discovery and stores the
acquired MTU value in the repeater-side memory 330. Where a core
network-side MTU value is already stored, the repeater 300 updates
the stored value with the currently acquired MTU value.
[0196] Step S512: The repeater 300 transmits a restart command
message to the base station 200. The restart command message
includes the MTU value stored in Step S511. Thus, the MTU value
that is to be set in the base station 200 to be restarted is sent
from the repeater 300 to the base station 200.
[0197] Step S513: On receiving the restart command message
transmitted in Step S512 from the repeater 300, the base station
200 extracts the MTU value included in the received RRC message, to
acquire the base station-side MTU value.
[0198] Step S514: After receiving the restart command message
transmitted in Step S512 from the repeater 300, the base station
200 executes a restart process. Upon restart of operation by the
restart process, the base station 200 sends the repeater 300 a
restart notification message indicating the restart of
operation.
[0199] Step S515: On receiving the restart notification message
transmitted in Step S514 from the base station 200, the repeater
300 transmits a cell setup request to the base station 200. The
cell setup request is transmitted by using an NBAP (Cell Setup
Request) message.
[0200] Step S516: On receiving the cell setup request transmitted
in Step S515 from the repeater 300, the base station 200 transmits
a cell setup response to the repeater 300. The cell setup response
is transmitted by means of an NBAP (Cell Setup Response) message.
Steps S515 and S516 are repeated for respective sectors of the base
station 200.
[0201] Step S517: On receiving the cell setup response transmitted
in Step S516 from the base station 200, the repeater 300 transmits
a common transport channel setup request to the base station 200.
The common transport channel setup request is transmitted by using
an NBAP (Common Transport Channel Setup Request) message. Also, the
common transport channel setup request is sent via the PCH (Paging
CHannel) or FACH (Forward Access CHannel) mapped onto the SCCPCH
(Secondary Common Control Physical CHannel).
[0202] Step S518: On receiving the common transport channel setup
request transmitted in Step S517 from the repeater 300, the base
station 200 transmits a common transport channel setup response to
the repeater 300. The common transport channel setup response is
transmitted by means of an NBAP (Common Transport Channel Setup
Response) message via the SCCPCH. Steps S517 and S518 are repeated
for the respective sectors of the base station 200.
[0203] Step S521: On receiving the common transport channel setup
response transmitted in Step S518 (see FIG. 14) from the base
station 200, the repeater 300 transmits an establish request to the
base station 200. The establish request is transmitted by means of
an ALCAP (Access Link Control Application Protocol) message
(Establish Request message).
[0204] Step S522: On receiving the establish request transmitted in
Step S521 from the repeater 300, the base station 200 transmits an
establish response to the repeater 300. The establish response is
transmitted by using an ALCAP (Establish Response) message. Steps
S521 and S522 are repeated for respective transport channels of the
base station 200.
[0205] Step S523: On receiving the establish response transmitted
in Step S522 from the base station 200, the repeater 300 transmits
a common transport channel setup request to the base station 200.
This request is transmitted by means of an NBAP (Common Transport
Channel Setup Request) message. Also, the common transport channel
setup request is sent via the RACH (Random Access CHannel) mapped
onto the SCCPCH.
[0206] Step S524: On receiving the common transport channel setup
request transmitted in Step S523 from the repeater 300, the base
station 200 transmits a common transport channel setup response to
the repeater 300. This response is transmitted by means of an NBAP
(Common Transport Channel Setup Response) message. Also, the common
transport channel setup response is sent via the SCCPCH. Steps S523
and S524 are repeated for the respective sectors of the base
station 200.
[0207] Step S525: On receiving the common transport channel setup
response transmitted in Step S524 from the base station 200, the
repeater 300 transmits an establish request to the base station
200. The establish request is transmitted by means of an ALCAP
(Establish Request) message.
[0208] Step S526: On receiving the establish request transmitted in
Step S525 from the repeater 300, the base station 200 transmits an
establish response to the repeater 300. The establish response is
transmitted by using an ALCAP (Establish Response) message. Steps
S525 and S526 are repeated for the respective transport channels of
the base station 200.
[0209] Step S527: On receiving the establish response transmitted
in Step S526 from the base station 200, the repeater 300 transmits
a system information update request to the base station 200. The
system information update request is transmitted by using an NBAP
(System Information Update Request) message.
[0210] Step S528: On receiving the system information update
request transmitted in Step S527 from the repeater 300, the base
station 200 transmits a system information update response to the
repeater 300. The system information update response is transmitted
by means of an NBAP (System Information Update Response) message.
Steps S527 and S528 are repeated for the respective sectors of the
base station 200.
[0211] Step S529: The base station 200 stores the MTU value,
acquired in Step S513, in the base station-side memory 230. When an
incoming/outgoing call to/from the mobile station 100 is initiated
thereafter, the base station 200 transmits an RRC message including
the MTU value stored therein to the mobile station 100 as stated
above.
[0212] Also in the mobile communication system constituted by a 3G
system, when operation of the base station 200 is restarted, the
MTU value held by the repeater 300 is sent to the base station 200.
Since the MTU discovery need not be performed when operation of the
base station 200 is restarted, it is possible to prevent the
network load from being increased at the restart of the base
station.
[0213] As described above, according to the embodiment, the MTU
value of the transmission path via which data is to be transmitted
is acquired and notified to the mobile station. It is therefore
possible to cause the mobile station to transmit data with a data
size matching the MTU value of the transmission path while at the
same time restraining increase of the load on the apparatuses
constituting the transmission path.
[0214] Also, each base station 200 updates the MTU value stored
therein to the latest value at predetermined intervals of time, and
accordingly, the size of data transmitted from the mobile station
100 can be made to change in accordance with change in the network
configuration (topology change).
[0215] Further, each repeater 300 updates the MTU value stored
therein to the latest value at predetermined intervals of time, and
therefore, the size of data transmitted from the mobile station 100
can be made to change in accordance with change in the network
configuration.
[0216] Moreover, the base station 200 acquires one MTU value, and
when a call connection is initiated at multiple mobile stations
100a, 100b, the MTU value is sent to the individual mobile stations
100a, 100b. Since the mobile stations 100a, 100b need not carry out
the path MTU discovery, the network load can be prevented from
increasing due to the MTU discovery, making it possible to prevent
lowering in the transmission efficiency of the network.
[0217] In the disclosed mobile communication system and method and
communication apparatus, the MTU of the transmission path is
acquired and notified to the terminal apparatus. It is therefore
possible to cause the mobile station to transmit data with a data
size matching the MTU value while at the same time restraining
increase in the load of the apparatuses constituting the
transmission path.
[0218] All examples and conditional language recited herein are
intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in
understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the
inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being
without limitation to such specifically recited examples and
conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the
specification relate to a showing of the superiority and
inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiment(s) of the
present invention have been described in detail, it should be
understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations
could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
* * * * *